View of Nouakchott while landing.

Radiosonde inflation shelter at the met station located at the Nouackchott airport. This facility is relatively new.

Interior of the balloon inflation shelter with two GIP-3 hydrogen generators and a 300g balloon.

40 gram red and white balloons—note the difference in length.

Observer and gas preparer (in white) inflating a 40g pilot balloon (standard size in ASECNA pilot balloon network.)

Observer holding the balloon ready to launch.

Getting ready to launch a 40g pilot balloon.

From left to right, Sarr Howseynou with gas preparer (in white) and another observer.

Gas preparer with balloon. Note the large sun shield for surface met instruments in box.

From left to right, Mr. Howseynou, Mr. Cheibany Tandia (tallest observer) and another observer. Theodolite cover is being removed.

Observer following the balloon with the Breithaupt Kassel (German-made) theodolite—it was in good condition.

Closer view of the Breithaupt Kassel theodolite.

Still closer view of the Breithaupt Kassel theodolite. Note the decimal degrees are estimated from a Vernier scale.

Detail of data recording and timer. The timer provides a beep every minute.

Cheibany Tandia following the balloon during the first minute or two. Note the problem with the platform...

The square plataform with pointed corners is hazardous when following the balloon with the gunsights at high elevation angles. Also, the balloon cannot be tracked via the gunsights at high elevation angles. All theodolite pedestals we saw in West Africa had this problem.

The platform height was not adjustable... the tall observer had to bend over the entire time he tracked the balloon.

Closer view of Mr. Tandia. Note the platform is larger than needed.

John Mejia and observers discussing how to read the Vernier scale.

John Mejia and Mr. Tandia correcting the pilot balloon data.

Processing the pilot balloon data in the ASECNA training room at the airport.

Mike Douglas showing procedures for following the pilot balloon with our Warren Knight theodolite. The tripod was set up for the tallest observer!

John Mejia explaining the Warren Knight theodolite details.